Dozer --- Coyote Dinner

This past weekend was a real treat from a few different perspectives. First we went and visited Jason and Julie Bakker over in Indiana at Jason's folks' house. It was so nice to see them again and catch up, have theological discussions, ping pong contests, games of Croquet and Frisbee Golf, a campfire, and just a great time. Jason is now finished with seminary and they will be moving to Julie's dad's house where Jason will train in ministry and try to find a pastoral position. Julie is hoping to continue with college admissions, I think. The Bakkers hosted us overnight friday night. We had great food and a great place to stay. They recently built a new house on the same property where Jason's dad grew up. We had a wonderful time!

Sunday and monday we went to Gun Lake and relaxed with R.J. and Lori and their family. We took boat rides and See-Doo rides, went swimming, and played Apples-To-Apples. All weekend long we had the best weather anyone could ask for. It was hot and sunny, which doesn't happen all that often on Memorial Day weekend. Most all of us got too much sun and are now slightly sun-burnt despite the fact that we put on Sun-Screen. I have to say that I was actually very refreshed from the long weekend. What a great feeling!

Well, I have now started playing Ice-Hockey in a league. I have played roller-blade hockey for many years, but it was just for fun. Some of my friends have continued playing and now are quite good and have switched over to ice-hockey. Recently I also started ice-hockey by playing some pickup games, where there is no ref and it is safe and fun. I thought I was maybe up to the level of playing with my friends, so now I am trying my best to play. Our first league game together was last wednesday night. I did ok, but I am probably the worst player on the team. The interesting incident happened while I was standing behind the wall not even playing. It was a close game, so all of us who weren't playing at the moment were standing over the wall watching closely. Then our own player decided to hit the puck very hard, and instead of the puck bouncing off the wall where we were standing, it flew too high and nailed my shoulder. Just so you know, about the only pads I have not purchased yet were shoulder pads and most of the other guys were wearing them. So my unpadded shoulder is now a greenish/yellow bruise. I am planning on getting shoulder pads before my next game! We did win 6-4 I believe, so that part is good news.

Last night we were invited over to Jared's Parents' house to hang out/catch up with 'old' friends. Jared and Maria are visiting this week-back from China-and gathered some of the Calvin group together to talk and play games and laugh. If you like you can link to their web page(see side-bar) also to see what they are up too these days. But the lowdown is that Jared did not win the game last night. THis is especially important because Jared is very very competitive and because it is usually more fun to watch Jared lose than to even play the game. We played a game called "Chicken-Foot" which is a variation of dominoes. It is fun to play because it easy to talk and chat while playing. Jared and Maria are doing very well, working hard, and living in SHanghai [sic]. So we played, talked, tried to set Guamo up on a date, and didn't let Jared win. What an amazing evening!